(A/N):

Drop a meme here that you find funny. Or reflects your mood.

Guys I hope you put more comments and power stones... Which will encourage me...

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Then Devaki finally looked toward Shakuni after greeting the Queen of Gandhara.

"Prince Shakuni,"

She said politely calling him.

"I wished to ask... Where is King Devaratha?"

At the mention of Devara, even the child in Devaki’s arms shifted slightly while looking around curiously.

"...."

Prince Shakuni raised an eyebrow slightly at the question.

Then with his usual casual confidence, he replied.

"He left earlier to inspect the Gurukul."

The answer visibly surprised Devaki and asked curiously.

"The Gurukul?"

Prince Shakuni nodded not surprised by her reaction.

-Nod!

"He has been personally inspecting preparations around the kingdom since morning."

Then folding his arms loosely, he added with faint amusement.

"Honestly, I suspect he would inspect the kitchens too if left alone long enough."

That made Vasudeva quietly chuckle.

-Chuckle!

The Queen of Gandhara however gave her son a warning look.

"Do not speak about your king like that."

Prince Shakuni immediately grinned.

-Grin!

"He is my brother-in-law before he is my king."

"That does not help your case."

The nearby attendants finally failed to suppress their laughter entirely.

Meanwhile Devaki herself smiled softly hearing the exchange.

"...."

Because despite all the stories spreading across Bhulok painting Devara as an almost divine figure—

Moments like this reminded her that within the palace itself, he was still treated with warmth and familiarity by those close to him.

Not merely fear and reverence.

Then Devaki looked toward the palace entrance thoughtfully.

"We wished to meet him personally before tomorrow’s coronation."

Vasudeva nodded beside her.

-Nod!

"There is something we wish to discuss with him."

Prince Shakuni’s eyes narrowed slightly with curiosity, though he wisely chose not to ask directly.

Instead he simply gestured toward the inner palace corridors.

"He should return soon."

Then with a smirk he added.

-Smirk!

"And if not, the entire palace will know the moment he arrives. This kingdom becomes strangely louder whenever Devara walks into it."

That earned him another scolding glare from his mother.

But this time even she struggled not to smile.

"...."

The lively atmosphere within the royal guest quarters continued as nobles, attendants, and soldiers moved through the palace corridors preparing for the coronation ceremonies of the following day.

Meanwhile, Devaki, Vasudeva, the Queen of Gandhara, and Shakuni remained gathered within one of the decorated inner courtyards speaking casually.

The sound of flowing water from nearby marble fountains mixed softly with the distant music echoing from other sections of the palace.

Then suddenly—

The sharp sound of ceremonial staffs striking the floor echoed from the far corridor entrance.

-THUD! -THUD!

-THUD!...

Immediately afterward came the loud voice of the royal heralds.

"The arrival of the King of Trivenivrata!"

"Slayer of Kamsa!"

"Gangaputra!"

"Bhumiputra!"

"Protector of Trivenivrata!"

The voices carried proudly through the palace halls.

Nearby attendants and guards immediately straightened respectfully.

"...."

"...."

"...."

Even several visiting nobles passing through the corridors instinctively paused to look toward the approaching direction.

And soon—Devara appeared walking down the corridor.

Unlike during formal court gatherings,

Devara was not dressed in overly ceremonial attire at the moment.

His clothing remained elegant but practical after returning from the Gurukul inspection earlier.

Yet even without the coronation crown, his presence naturally drew attention as he walked calmly through the palace corridors beneath the golden torchlight.

"...."

The moment he noticed the familiar group gathered ahead, a genuine smile appeared on his face.

Without hesitation, he changed direction and walked toward them directly.

The Queen of Gandhara smiled warmly seeing him approach.

Devara respectfully folded his hands before bowing slightly toward her.

"Mother."

The queen’s expression softened instantly.

Like many elders within the palace, she still found it difficult at times to fully separate the legendary figure people spoke about from the young man standing before her.

She raised her hand and gently blessed him.

"May your glory grow brighter, son."

Devara smiled lightly at that before straightening.

Then his gaze shifted toward Devaki and Vasudeva.

Both greeted him respectfully.

But unlike the formal distance many rulers maintained—Devara immediately stepped forward toward Vasudeva with visible warmth.

Without hesitation, he embraced him tightly.

That small action visibly surprised several nearby attendants and younger nobles watching from a distance.

Because while many kingdoms treated political allies carefully and formally—The respect Devara carried toward Vasudeva felt deeply personal.

And truthfully, it was.

Among the many people Devara respected in this world,

Vasudeva stood very high in his heart.

The man had endured imprisonment, suffering, fear, and loss while still protecting his family and dharma with remarkable strength.

Devara pulled back slightly from the embrace with a smile.

"How have you been these days."

Vasudeva himself smiled warmly.

"You have become busier than many kings twice your age."

"That sounds like criticism."

"It is."

That immediately caused soft laughter around them.

Even Devaki smiled seeing the exchange.

Nearby, Prince Shakuni folded his arms dramatically.

"Look at this injustice. I stay here for months and nobody hugs me."

The Queen of Gandhara instantly replied.

"Because you create headaches instead of kingdoms." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Several attendants nearly choked trying not to laugh.

Even Devara failed to hide his amusement hearing that.

Meanwhile Devaki gently adjusted the child in her arms before speaking warmly.

"We are happy to finally see you again, Devara."

Her voice carried genuine gratitude beneath the calmness.

Not merely political courtesy.

Devara’s expression softened slightly hearing it.

"How is Mathura now?"

He asked calmly.

That question immediately shifted the conversation more seriously.

Vasudeva exhaled quietly before answering.

"It is healing."

His gaze drifted briefly toward the distant palace gardens.

"The scars left by Kamsa’s rule will not disappear immediately. But the people are finally beginning to breathe peacefully again."

Devaki nodded softly beside him.

-Nod!

"The court itself required major changes. Many who served Kamsa out of fear remained uncertain after his fall. We had to rebuild trust slowly."

Devara listened carefully.

He understood that removing a tyrant was often easier than rebuilding what tyranny damaged afterward.

Vasudeva continued calmly.

"But stability is returning. Trade has improved."

"The temples reopened fully. And the people..."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"They no longer whisper in fear while walking their own streets."

That answer genuinely pleased Devara.

"...."

Because despite everything surrounding him now—Kingdoms. Politics. Coronations. Divine rumors.

At the end of the day, improving ordinary people’s lives still mattered most to him.

Meanwhile the child in Devaki’s arms curiously stared toward Devara now without fear.

The little one even stretched a tiny hand toward him innocently.

That immediately caught everyone’s attention.

Prince Shakuni dramatically pointed at the child.

"See? Even babies in this palace recognize the important people first."

His mother instantly smacked the back of his head lightly.

-Bam!

"You are standing right there and still ignored."

The courtyard erupted into laughter once more beneath the warm evening light of Trivenivrata’s royal palace.

The warm laughter filling the courtyard slowly softened as Devara looked toward the child resting peacefully in Devaki’s arms.

The little boy continued staring at him curiously with wide innocent eyes, tiny fingers still stretching outward as though demanding attention.

A faint smile appeared on Devara’s face.

Without hesitation, he carefully extended his hands.

Devaki immediately understood and gently placed the child into his arms.

"...."

The moment the boy settled against him, the courtyard itself seemed to quiet slightly.

Devara adjusted the child carefully with surprising familiarity despite usually being surrounded more by soldiers and politics than infants.

The little boy simply blinked at him quietly before grabbing onto the edge of his clothing with tiny hands.

Watching that innocent expression, Devara felt his thoughts drift briefly.

In another timeline...

Another life...

This child might have been someone entirely different.

The memories of his previous life flickered silently through his mind for a moment.

Krishna.

The child who never came into existence within this altered timeline.

And yet...

Looking at the boy resting peacefully in his arms now, Devara did not feel sadness.

Nor disappointment.

Because even if destiny had changed paths... That did not mean this child lacked purpose.

"...."

Slowly, Devara looked down at him with a softened expression.

’Even if you are not Krishna... May you still stand for righteousness. May Lord Vishnu guide your path.’

The thought remained quietly within his heart.

Then after gently rocking the child slightly, Devara finally looked toward Vasudeva and Devaki.

"So,"

He asked lightly,

"what is this little warrior’s name?"

The question made both Devaki and Vasudeva glance toward one another silently.

A soft understanding passed between them.

"...."

"...."

"...."

Then slowly—They smiled.

And looked back toward Devara.

What happened next made even the nearby attendants straighten in surprise.

"Devara,"

Vasudeva said calmly stating their wish.

"We wish for you to name our son."

Silence.

Complete silence spread through the courtyard instantly.

"...."

"...."

"...."

Even Prince Shakuni stopped joking for once.

The Queen of Gandhara herself looked visibly surprised.

Because everyone present understood exactly what that request meant.

In their traditions, allowing another man to name one’s child was not a casual honor.

It carried deep emotional and familial meaning.

It symbolized acceptance into the family itself.

A bond almost equal to blood.

The relationship of a maternal uncle.

A sacred connection built upon trust and affection rather than politics.

And from people like Vasudeva and Devaki—The gesture carried even greater weight.

For a brief moment, genuine shock appeared on Devara’s face.

He looked between the couple almost uncertain he heard correctly.

"You... want me to name him?"

Devaki smiled softly.

"You stood beside us when darkness surrounded our lives."

Vasudeva nodded calmly.

-Nod!

"You are family to us already."

The sincerity in their voices completely erased any possibility of mere political formality.

This was personal. Deeply personal.

For several seconds, Devara simply stood there holding the child quietly.

Then slowly—A warm smile spread across his face.

Not the composed smile of a king.

But a genuinely happy one.

Looking down at the child again, he chuckled softly.

"Then this little fellow deserves more than a simple naming."

The boy blinked at him innocently as if listening carefully.

-Blink!

"...."

That immediately caused the atmosphere around them to soften again.

Then suddenly Devara turned toward the nearby guards with renewed energy.

"You!"

The guards instantly straightened.

"Inform the palace immediately."

His voice carried excitement now.

"Prepare the throne hall."

"Call the royal guests and the visiting sages."

"Arrange a proper naming celebration."

Nearby attendants immediately began moving hurriedly.

Devara continued giving instructions while still holding the child carefully.

"Bring a sandalwood cradle. A finely carved one."

"Place it at the center of the throne hall."

The attendants hurried to obey instantly.

"And inform Gandhari and the royal family."

The palace servants bowed quickly before rushing away through the corridors carrying the news.

Within moments, the atmosphere inside the royal palace shifted entirely once again.

Because now—On the eve of the coronation itself—Another sacred celebration had suddenly been born within the palace walls.

The naming ceremony of Vasudeva and Devaki’s child.

And at its center stood Devara himself holding the little boy while the royal palace of Trivenivrata slowly awakened into yet another night of joy, music, and gathering.

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(Author note:)

I hope you guys give me your opinion and idea’s.

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Don’t forget to review guys...

Guys I have a new fic which named: Karuppan: King of Openings.